Published in The BANAR June 2021
By Don Kelly
Given the two house fires in Blackburn Hamlet in April 2021, the BCA wanted to remind residents of the importance of fire safety at home.
Most fires are preventable. In 2020, Ottawa had 746 fires. According to Jimmy Fata, Assistant Division Chief of Fire Prevention for the Ottawa Fire Services, 95 of these fires occurred because of things unattended, such as cooking, candles and barbecues. 95 fires occurred because of improperly discarded items such as cigarettes and fireplace ashes, while another 38 fires started because of space heaters too close to combustible material or articles too close to the stove.
Fire safety and prevention is something that we all can do to keep our family and home safe. One critical component is to have a working smoke alarm. Effective March 1, 2006, it is the law for all Ontario homes to have a working smoke alarm on every storey and outside all sleeping areas. This covers single-family, semi-detached and town homes, whether owner-occupied or rented.
Notes on smoke detectors:
- Always install the smoke alarm on or near the ceiling in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Test your smoke alarms regularly by pressing the test button.
- Install a new battery in each alarm at least once a year. When a warning chirp sounds, replace your battery immediately.
Other fire safety tips:
- Develop a fire escape plan that will enable you and your family to get out of the home quickly and safely. Practice the plan regularly so that you can all escape within two minutes.
- Ensure you have a working fire extinguisher for emergencies.
- Always properly discard your cigarette and ensure it is OUT.
- Never leave cooking unattended, especially when using a deep fryer or cooking with oil.
- Never barbecue indoors, including inside the garage.
- Monitor space heaters and always follow manufacturer’s instructions.